Hepatitis B Vaccine for Adults | Vaccination Schedule

Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Hepatitis B lives in blood and sexual fluids. It’s the most common liver infection in the world, usually passed on from mother to baby, or through exposure to the blood of someone with hepatitis B (usually through unsterile medical procedures).

Should I get vaccinated?

Hepatitis B can be a risk if there is blood-to-blood contact with someone with hepatitis B. Unprotected sex can also be a transmission risk for hepatitis B. If you have been at risk for hepatitis B, or are one of the high-risk groups below, you should get tested and vaccinated for hepatitis B.

In Australia, many people get vaccinated for hepatitis B as babies or young children, as part of the National Immunisation Program Schedule. You can get a blood test to find out if you are vaccinated against hepatitis B if you’re not sure, or to check that your vaccination worked.

Groups at high risk for hepatitis B

Hepatitis B can only be passed on through blood-to-blood contact, unprotected sex or during birth – so you might be at risk of having hepatitis B if you:

have moved to Australia from a country where hepatitis B is more common
were born to a mother who was hepatitis B positive during her pregnancy
live or have lived with someone with hepatitis B
have or have had a sexual partner who has hepatitis B
have ever injected drugs or steroids
are in prison or have ever been in prison
have had blood transfusions, blood products or organ transplant in Australia before February 1990
are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait background
have had a tattoo or body piercing
are a man who has had sex with men
have worked as a sex worker
have had a needle-stick injury
have had unprotected sex
have had unsterile cosmetic or medical procedures.
have had unsterile tattooing or piercing
have ever taken part in unsterile traditional practices such as traditional tattooing, circumcision, initiation rituals involving blood, and scarification
share or have shared personal items that might have traces of blood on them including toothbrushes, combs, nail clippers or razors
do not have the above risks but have abnormal liver function tests or experience hepatitis B symptoms.

Who can get free hepatitis B vaccinations?

People under 20 years old can get hepatitis B vaccines for free under the National Immunisation Program. This covers them if they did not receive the vaccines in childhood (called catch-up vaccination). The National Immunisation Program also covers refugees and similar migrant people (of any age) arriving in Australia.

The following people (in NSW) can also get the free hepatitis B vaccines:

Aboriginal people
Household and sexual contacts of acute and chronic hepatitis B cases
Immunosuppressed people
People with HIV or hepatitis C
Men who have sex with men
People who inject drugs
Sex workers
Clients at sexual health clinics

Eligible people get the vaccine for free, but you may be charged a consultation fee for the visit. You can check this when you make your appointment. Note: free vaccines are not provided for overseas travel.

You can get vaccinated for hep B at your doctor’s clinic or a sexual health centre.

How does the hepatitis B vaccination work?

Before vaccination
Before getting vaccinated you need to ask your doctor for blood tests to check if you are already immune. Our Hepat itis B testing chart covers more info about these tests. These tests will tell your doctor if you are immune or if you need a vaccination. Even if you have been vaccinated before, you might not have immunity to the hepatitis B virus*.
* a reading under 10IU/L means you do not have detectable immunity to hepatitis B.

Getting vaccinated
The hepatitis B vaccination is safe and effective. To get fully vaccinated, you need 3 injections over 6 months.

Vaccination 1- note the date of the 1st vaccine
Vaccination 2 – get this 4 weeks after the 1st vaccine
Vaccination 3 – get this 6 months after the 1st vaccine
Get a blood test – 4 weeks after the 3rd vaccine to check if you have hepatitis B immunity. **

Getting all 3 injections gives you the best chance of developing hepatitis B immunity (protection).

If the vaccine has worked, and a blood test shows you have immunity, you are protected from hepatitis B for life and will not need a booster shot.

** A rapid course may be offered by your health care service. Call the Hepatitis Infoline for more information

Contact the Hepatitis Infoline or talk to your doctor for more information

Have more questions about hepatitis B and adult vaccination? Contact the free Hepatitis Infoline or download one of our free online resources now.

How do you know if you have been vaccinated or have hepatitis B immunity? See our Hepatitis B Testing Chart >>

For further information please visit NSW Health vaccination webpage >>

Want to know more about travel vaccinations for hep B prevention? Call the Hepatitis Infoline.

This Department of Health website has more information on STI’s >>

Click here to see our Detailed hep B information page >>